Abstract: A disposable diaper for pets, in which part of a crotch area stands up as a result of the contraction of an expanding/contracting elastic member, and a standing-up section is formed, said disposable diaper for pets having: a rear-side waist area; a stomach-side waist area; the crotch area; both end sections in the diaper longitudinal direction; both end sections in the diaper longitude-intersecting direction; a tail insertion opening; an absorbent core; an attachment section provided in the stomach-side waist area; an attachment area that receives the attachment section; and the expanding/contracting elastic member arranged the diaper longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A method that can monitor a milking process is presented and, in particular, a method and apparatus that can effectively determine the stage of the milking process. An additional aspect is to provide a method that may measure a vacuum level associated with the milking process, receive an operational state of a valve associated with the milking process, and compare the vacuum level and valve operational state to criteria to determine the milking stage. Further, the method may be configured to issue an indication of the milking stage or issue an alarm if alarm conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: A method of treating a hoof of an ungulate animal. The method comprises coating one or both of (i) at least a portion of a bottom surface of the hoof or (ii) at least a portion of a block surface with a curable polymer and allowing the polymer to cure for a period of time. The polymer is cured within 60 seconds or less of the coating and the cured polymer has a Shore D hardness of about 10 to about 50. The curable polymer is provided as a two component system. The first component is a reaction product of (a) comprises 4-4?-diphenylmethane-diisocyanate, castor oil, isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane, and glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, and wherein (b) comprises dicyclohexylmethane-4,4-diisocyanate, polyether polyol, 4,4?-diphenylmethane-diisocyanate (MDI), and triethoxy(3-isocyanatopropyle)silane. The second component comprises polyoxypropylene oxide ether polyol, diol (2000 MW), polyxoypropylene oxide ether polyol, triol (450 MW), tetrahydroxypropylethylendiamine, metaxylenediamine, and organobismuth catalyst.

Abstract: A flexible abrasion resistant omnidirectionally reflective retractable pet leash has an omnidirectionally reflective pet leash housed within a retractable housing device. The omnidirectionally reflective pet leash reflects an incoming light beam back in the same direction as it was emanated. The reflected light beam provides accurate illumination of the pet leash and the location of the pet during dusk or nighttime hours. This retractable pet leash is created by surrounding a central braided rope of nylon or polyethylene fibers with a cylindrically braided reflective sleeve. The braided reflective sleeve is composed of braided narrow width reflective strips each comprising a plurality of reflective threads worked together to form a weave. Due to the braided weave of the reflective threads and the arrangement of the microscopic reflectors light incident thereon from virtually any angle is reflected back to its source.

Abstract: A plant irrigation system and method of use, wherein the system accepts a fluid and releases it over time to one or more plants. The system can be fed manually or via an irrigation network capable of feeding fluid to one or more containers. The irrigation network can feed fluid automatically or manually. Fluid flow into each individual container is controlled via a float valve or level switch. Fluid exits the container and waters the ground immediately below via a fluid release valve that can be manually set, regulating the flowrate out of the container. The containers are above the ground, each mounted upon a stake, and utilize a flexible impermeable membrane.

Abstract: The invention provides measuring devices for managing the weight of animals and methods of using the measuring devices. In a general aspect, the measuring devices comprise a container having a first side with a cavity and a second opposing side having a cavity that is larger than the cavity of the first side. The first side cavity is sized to hold an amount of food that restricts calorie intake of an animal. The second side cavity is sized to hold an amount of food that provides daily requirement for weight management of an animal.

Abstract: Natural fiber mulch mats are prepared from natural fibers, bicomponent fibers, and optionally other synthetic fibers, and consolidated at a temperature sufficient to melt a lower melting polymer of the polymers used to prepare the bicomponent fiber. The mulch mat may be prepared without conventional binders and without a polymer netting, yet exhibits good handling properties and superior water holding properties as compared to melting-containing products, without the drawbacks of the latter.

Abstract: A disposable diaper for pets, having: a diaper longitudinal direction, a diaper longitude-intersecting direction being a direction interesting the diaper longitudinal direction; a rear-side flap section; a stomach-side flap section; and a reference virtual straight line being a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the disposable diaper for pets. The rear-side flap section is configured such that the distance from the reference virtual straight line to an end section on the longitudinal intersection direction of the rear-side flap section differs relative to the diaper longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A disposable diaper for pets, having: a diaper longitudinal direction; a diaper longitude-intersecting direction; a rear-side flap section; a stomach-side flap section; and a tail insertion opening provided in a prescribed area in the diaper longitudinal direction. The disposable diaper for pets is formed such that the length in the diaper longitude-intersecting direction in the rear-side flap section is different from the length in the diaper longitude-intersecting direction in the stomach-side flap section.

Abstract: A disposable diaper for pets includes: a back-side waist area; a stomach-side waist area; a crotch area; both end sections in the diaper longitudinal direction; both end sections in a diaper longitude-intersecting direction; a tail insertion opening; an absorbent core; an area not having the absorbent core arranged therein; an attachment section provided in the stomach-side waist area; an attachment area that accepts the attachment section; an expandable/contractible elastic member for legs, arranged, in the extended state, in a prescribed area in the diaper longitudinal direction, between the absorbent core and an end section in the diaper longitude-intersecting direction; a leg gather formed by the contraction of the expandable/contractible elastic member for legs; and a standing-up section in which the end sections in the diaper longitudinal direction stand up as a result of the contraction of the expandable/contractible elastic member for legs.

Abstract: A hoof boot has a base, a heel captivator, and a pivoting mechanism that disposes the heel captivator to pivot relative to the base, preferably in a manner that allows the heel captivator at least three degrees of freedom of movement relative to the base. The heel captivator is preferably low in the rearmost portion, which provides clearance for the pastern bones of the equine lower leg to descend upon weight bearing during movement at various gaits. To reduce the possibility for bruising and chaffing of soft tissue around the pastern bones, and to help eliminate accumulation of debris, preferred heel captivators have an open mesh architecture. Heel captivators can alternatively or additionally be designed with fabric covered neoprene or other liners. Boots are preferably tightened using mechanically advantages laces.

Abstract: The invention provides for a brooder having a cylindrical emitter and a burner head. The cylindrical emitter is formed from a flat piece of stainless steel which is manipulated in order to secure one end thereof to another end thereof, thereby allowing for reduced costs in packaging and shipping of the brooder and for easy assembly of the emitter after shipping. The burner head is formed of top and bottom plates which are secured together by port spacers of the bottom plate having tabs which extend through apertures of the top plate, and which are folded downwardly toward the top plate.

Abstract: An encapsulatable life support mechanism (ELSM) for an analyzed animal, including: a cradle or bed adapted by means of size and shape to accommodate the animal; an anesthetization gas mask (AGM) characterized by a cup with conic cross section, comprising a plurality of apertures located at the outer circumference of the cup; a fluid supplying mechanism (FSM) in which the AGM is placed, the FSM is in a continuous fluid communication with (i) an anesthetization gas inlet positioned outside the ELSM and an outlet located within the ELSM; (ii) an air suction scavenging device positioned outside the ELSM and a mask and an air suction outlet located within the ELSM; and a plurality of (iii) air conditioning tubes; and an airtight shell enveloping the same. The airtight ELSM prevent leakage of anesthetization gas.

Abstract: A vertical planter having a partitioned tray, a liner, and a sliding wire support grid, wherein the partitioned tray engages the sliding wire support grid to provide access to the partitioned tray.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container for propagating growth of seedlings, having a main body comprising a base, a central wall extending vertically from the base. A first wall section and a second wall section are arranged to the main body. The first wall section and the second wall section are hingeably connected to the main body. The base, the central wall, the wall sections forms in the closed condition at least two cells being open at top. The base comprises a supporting structure at the lower part of the main body, wherein the main body is provided with supporting means for holding an irrigation mat. The present invention also relates to a tray designed for receive and carry one or more of said containers, a greenhouse including the tray and one or more of the mentioned containers, and a method for propagating growth of seedlings.

Abstract: An edging guide may include an anchor and a retainer that may be rotatably mounted to the anchor. The anchor may be buried in the ground during use and may include a post portion and a support portion. The retainer may be rotatably mounted to the support of the anchor and may function to secure hold one or more lengths of edging material.

Abstract: A grooming apparatus for a household pet is provided having a wall with an opening for admitting the pet into an enclosure, whereby a flexible, resilient sheet positioned in the opening is deflected by the pet and a pressure sensitive adhesive on the surface of the sheet attracts and retains loose pet hair.

Abstract: Pet toys configured to accept an edible or chewable treat which can be readily replaced. The pet toys have a first portion and a second portion which releasably engage to retain the edible treat with the toy until the treat is consumed or otherwise removed from the toy by the pet. When desired, the toy can be disassembled by removing the first portion from the second portion, new treats can be added to the toy, and the two portions reassembled.

Abstract: A movable partition is usable with an animal kennel to change the size of the reposable region of the kennel within which an animal can be disposed during the animal's period of growth. The reposable region is situated between the kennel door and the movable partition. The movable partition is mountable to ventilation openings formed in the animal kennel and is movable among a variety of distances from the kennel door to change the size of the reposable region within the kennel in order to properly train the animal and to avoid the animal relieving itself within the kennel. The partition includes a barrier element and a number of mounting elements that are mountable to the ventilation openings of the kennel. The movable partition further includes a number of clip apparatuses that are cooperable with the mounting elements to retain the mounting elements mounted to the ventilation openings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an animal chew toy comprising a first material including a body portion and one or more exposed regions comprising a second material, the material of the exposed regions at least partially occupying one or more blind holes in the body portion wherein the one or more blind holes may include an undercut or die locked condition to aid in retaining the second material. The chew may be formed via a number of molding methods including those utilizing injection molding or extrusion techniques. The first and second materials may comprise edible compositions.